A relaxing afternoon with Dove Advanced Care and Barba Skin Clinic

What can be better than spending a relaxing and pampering afternoon at a skin clinic getting a facial? Nothing, which is why I jumped at the chance to go when my friend Alicia told me she wouldn’t be able to make it and offered me to go in her place.

Once I arrived at the Barba Skin Clinic, we were treated to champagne and cupcakes! Cute cupcakes and a beautiful setup at the clinic made for beautiful Instagram pictures, pictures which I obviously shared in my account.

After sipping on some champagne and eating (a few) cupcakes, I was escorted to a private room for my facial. The facial done by Stella Barba was amazing and so relaxing. Stella is the sweetest and we instantly hit it off once we both found out we were native Californians. She is originally from San Diego and I’m originally from LA. She is of Mexican descent and I’m half Mexican so to say we hit it off is an understatement. Stella and Alicia both gave me some great skincare tips as well as told me about the Dove Advanced Care deodorants because in case you didn’t know, your underarms should also be part of your skincare routine.

Did you know that Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant provides a 48-hour odor and wetness protection plus has the added skincare benefits of NutriumMoisture™, which means it will make your underarms soft and smooth? That means you should totally make it part of your skincare regimen.  The product comes in a wide range of signature Dove fragrances and can be purchased at mass, food and drug retailers nationwide.

While I was there, I caught up with my friends who also happen to be bloggers and was pleasantly surprised to see them since I didn’t know they would be there. Here we are au naturel after our relaxing facials.

Here we are with Dr. Alicia Barba in her clinic. Check out some of her tips below and watch my interview with her. Thanks to Dove and Barba Skin Clinic for the relaxing and pampering afternoon!

Dr. Barba’s Key to Summer Skin-Care

Beautify your Underarms – On a daily basis, I see many patients dealing with hyperpigmentation, especially now that the weather is warmer and time spent in the sun is increasing. Interestingly not all hyperpigmentation is due to the sun, rather it can be due to inflammation, especially when it occurs under the arms. To decrease redness or staining in this sensitive area, I recommend being very gentle when shaving and using Dove Advanced Care Deodorant/Antiperspirant. Not only does it offer 48 hour protection against odor and wetness, but the NutriumMoisture formula moisturizes this sensitive skin constantly under friction. The Clear Tone version has added calendula and sunflower seed oil to help restore skin to its natural tone.

Come off the “actives” if you are in the sun – I often times have to tailor skincare routines based on a person’s lifestyle during the summer. I tend to focus more on protection and prevention in the summer, rather than on correction.  If the person is very active outdoors, I take them off prescription skin lighteners, acids, peels and retinoids. They are contraindicated in the sun and can make the skin more sun sensitive. A skincare routine would consist of a stable antioxidant serum layered with SPF 30 in the morning, while at night I would recommend a growth factor or hyaluronic acid serum, with a moisturizing eye cream and an oral antioxidant like an omega fatty acid or polypodium leucotomos.  Save most of the “correction” ingredients for the winter when sun exposure is minimal.

Moisturizer is still important in the summer – Although there is more humidity in the air during the warm summer months it is a good idea to continue moisturizing the skin as sun exposure and an active life outdoors can dry it out quite a bit. You will likely be able to use a lighter moisturizer on your face and body in the morning during the summer, especially if you use a hydrating cleanser. If you have a thicker moisturizer that you love, use it at night. Always lather up generously if you have been out in the sun.

Exfoliation is ALWAYS followed by moisturization – Whether you are exfoliating your face or body, you have not only removed dead skin cells but natural moisturizers in the skin. You have rubbed off good stuff too so put it back by using a moisturizer every time you exfoliate! And do not be afraid to bring the moisturizer down to your feet especially to the heels of your feet so they do not crack or fissure. I am always amazed how people think they can just scrub away dry skin and not have to work at hydrating it. Using Dove Exfoliating Body Wash or the Beauty Bar with Nutrium Moisture is a multitasker: it cleanses, exfoliates and hydrates all at the same time.

Invest in a regular facial – A regular facial with a well-trained aesthetician can be one of the best investments you can make. A one hour treatment with a highly skilled professional that does all the work for you, so that you achieve an amazing glow is so worth it. They cleanse, exfoliate, decongest, peel, moisturize, plump and massage the skin using active ingredients that give your skin an amazing workout. We firmly believe that patients can look younger simply because the skin looks healthy. Facials combined with good clinical skincare can be an alternative for people to look younger and feel better without cosmetic procedures.

Some quick & easy tips to follow when traveling – Cleansing facial wipes save me when I travel, especially when I am on a plane and have to remove my makeup during an overnight flight or on my way home from a meeting.  A good lip balm and hand moisturizer is also key. Sample size products are great for traveling. I love collecting these and save samples for my travels, but discard them right after my trip to avoid accumulating little vials of products whose expiration dates I do not remember. I love giving away sample size products to my patients for traveling. Eye creams are the most generous! They last forever.